Apple's incredible arrogance

OK, their history with Microsoft hasnt been all wine and roses, but they are still the only company that I can think of who mandate the 'fix' for install problems as 'Reinstall Windows'. I installed a stack of apps on a laptop this morning, and the only one to throw up its hands and tell me the Vista installer is broken is iTunes 10.5  - way to go, Cupertino. Yes, I've checked Google, and the simplest way around this is a complete reinstall from the recovery partition. 

Kill me now. 

I think the 'Apple Genius' is well-established as the butt of a great deal of humour on the Net, but I have to remind myself that Apple Corp learnt all about arrogance from those longtime masters at Microsoft. I just had steam coming out of my ears this morning because the customer was also hassling me to get it finished so she can submit her Business Activity Statement to the tax office - I dont know about you, but surely that has to outrank the ability for a kid to hear Britney on her new ipod on her birthday. The last people you need on your back are the Australian Tax Office - just ask Paul Hogan.

Thanks Max - I must have looked at a hundred 'fixes' like that, but when the clock is ticking its bloody hard to try every single suggestion. A lot of folk trot out 'turn off your virus checker/firewall' as a bandaid for every installation problem known to man.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olias of Sunhillow 

Personally, I've had far better luck with Apple hardware and software than with Microsoft, and I've also had much better customer services experiences with Apple (both in person and on the phone) than any of my painful interactions with MS.

 

That said, iTunes for the PC is a total dog and should be avoided if at all possible.

Sadly, I don't have the option of saying to a (computer-illiterate) customer 'Hey, you really need to spend 2K on a new Mac to get the most out of your 200 dollar iPod !'. This poor woman didn't even understand what I meant by 'the operating system' - she kept repeating 'so you are going to reinstall iTunes ?'. Sure, eventually ......

Historically, I can see why Apple have taken this stance, and the Vista installer probably *is* 'broken, but it seems that everyone else is prepared to work around it. I was able to install 10.5 on my ancient XP box, and on my Core i3 laptop running 64-bit Win7, but on hers its just a complete exercise in frustration. Vista remains a thorn in our sides, but there is little we can do about it.

I'm not being anti-Mac here - I've owned Macs and enjoyed the experience - but I see Apple Corp as the new Evil Empire in 2011.